Topical Bible: Falsehood: Abraham, in Denying That Sarah Was his Wife

◄ Falsehood: Abraham, in Denying That Sarah Was his Wife ►

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The account of Abraham denying that Sarah was his wife is a significant narrative found in the Book of Genesis, illustrating themes of fear, faith, and divine protection. This episode occurs twice in Abraham's life, first in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20) and later in Gerar (Genesis 20:1-18).

Context and Narrative

In Genesis 12:10-20, during a famine, Abram (later named Abraham) and Sarai (later named Sarah) journeyed to Egypt. Fearing that the Egyptians would kill him to take his beautiful wife, Abram instructed Sarai to say she was his sister. Genesis 12:13 records Abram's words: "Please say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." Pharaoh's officials, captivated by Sarai's beauty, took her into Pharaoh's palace. However, the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household, leading to the revelation of the truth and Abram's expulsion from Egypt.

The second incident occurs in Genesis 20:1-18, when Abraham and Sarah sojourned in Gerar. Again, Abraham claimed Sarah was his sister. Abimelech, king of Gerar, took Sarah, but God intervened by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the truth. Genesis 20:3 states, "But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.'" Abimelech confronted Abraham, who admitted his fear-driven deception. God protected Sarah, and Abimelech returned her to Abraham, along with gifts and a rebuke.

Theological Implications

Abraham's actions, while motivated by fear, reveal a complex interplay between human frailty and divine sovereignty. Despite Abraham's lack of faith in these moments, God's covenantal promises to him remained steadfast. The LORD's intervention in both instances underscores His faithfulness and protective care over His chosen people, even when they falter.

These narratives also highlight the moral and ethical challenges faced by the patriarchs. Abraham's deception, though intended to preserve his life, placed Sarah in jeopardy and compromised his witness to the surrounding nations. Yet, God's grace and intervention turned potential disaster into a demonstration of His power and faithfulness.

Lessons and Reflections

From a conservative Christian perspective, these accounts serve as a reminder of the importance of trust in God's promises and the dangers of relying on human schemes. Abraham's experiences teach believers about the consequences of fear-driven decisions and the necessity of faith in God's providence. They also illustrate God's ability to work through human weakness to fulfill His divine purposes.

The episodes of Abraham's falsehood regarding Sarah challenge believers to examine their own lives for areas where fear may lead to compromise. They encourage a reliance on God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire, and affirm the truth that God's plans are not thwarted by human error.

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Genesis 12:11-19
And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that you are a fair woman to look on:
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Genesis 20:2
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
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Library

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... Peter denying his Master ... beauty of Sarah again led them into deception and falsehood,
and with ... king, would have taken her for his wife as Abraham's sister, had ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... whose chief sins are pride and falsehood, should demand ... said she was his sister,
without denying her to ... to observe Faustus' remark, that Abraham falsely called ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... same that is applied to Abraham, to Moses ... Catholics are universally condemned, for
denying the Bible to ... seeking to overthrow slavery by falsehood, bloodshed and ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... "And God blessed them; and God said unto them, [that is, to the man and his wife]
Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it," &c. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm